Centrifugal speed control



2 Sheets-Sheet 1 Filed July l, 1939 P. H. KOLB CENTRIFUGAL SPEED CONTROL March 31, 1942.

Filed July 1, 1959 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 3mm Tazzi hf Afa/ @EAMVM me l Patented Mar. 31, 1942 UNTED STATES PATENT OFFICE S Claims.

This invention relates to speed control mechanisms and more particularly to such mechanisms as are applicable more especially for the control of the speed of motor driven vehicles.

One of the objects of the invention is to provide a centrifugal switch mechanism adapted to be employed as an element in a control system which will denitely limit the maximum speed of a motor vehicle.

Other objects and advantages of this invenl tion will appear from the following description when taken in connection with the accompanying drawings.

In the accompanying drawings wherein like reference characters indicate the corresponding parts in the various gures:

Figure 1 illustrates one adaptation of the inventive concept of this invention with parts,

shown in section.

Figure 2 is a schematic wiring diagram indicating the essential circuits of the device.

Figure 3 is an enlarged transverse cross section of the governor actuated switch,taken substantially on the line 3-3 of Figure 1.

Figure 4 is an enlarged detail of the trigger.

mechanism.

Considering the drawings in greater detail and having reference more particularly to Figure 1, a preferred embodiment of this invention is illustrated showing only the essential parts of a to the .rear of the speedometer housing 24 and a fuel valve is indicated generally at 25.

Considering the system in still further detail,

the casing 23 is arranged to be interposed between the driving connection 2B of the speedometer and the drive shaft 21 coming from an appropriate part of the motor vehicle for the purpose of accurately indicating by means of a speedometer the true speed of the vehicle at all times. The casing comprises a main housing 28 and a cover 29, the former of which may be of cast y metal such as aluminum, whereas the latter may be a metal stamping. The drive shaft 39 extends through the lower portion of the housing and is mounted in the bearing bushings 3| and 32. The bushing 3| is arranged to be received (Cl. 26S-SG) in a recess in the end wall ci housing 23, whereas the latter bushing 32 is supported in a threaded bearing ring 33 which engages the threaded portion 34 of the housing. This threaded portion' of the housing is also arranged to engage a threaded boss on the speedometer housing 24.

A pin 38 extends diametrically through the shaft 3!! on opposite sides thereof, on the extensions o which pin are journaled the bell crank levers 345, each having a short arm terminating in a rolller 31 and a long arm 3% to the ends of which a weight Ii is xed.' When in normal inactive condition, the arms 36 lie substantially parallel to the shaft 33 -with the weights close to said shaft. A sleeve thrust bearing 39 is slidably mounted upon the shaft 3Q having a flange 40 against which the rollers 31 thrust. A thrust washer 4| is mounted on the sleeve 3B provided on its opposite sides with trunnions 42. A ball bearing 43 encircles the sleeve between the *flange d!) and the washer 4|.

Since this apparatus is intended to be applied to existing standard motor vehicles as well as to new vehicles, the electrical parts will be normally under control of the ignition switch of the vehicle. In other words, there is no need for the mechanism being in operative condition during such times as the vehicle is parked or otherwise not in use. Considering Figure 2, a vehicle battery is indicated generally at 69 with a connection 1 grounding it to the metal parts of the vehicle structure. The switch 1i indicates the customary motor vehicle ignition switch, which is manually operable and which has a conductor 12 extending to microswitch 44. Interiorly oi the microswitch are located, relatively fixed contacts 13 and 14 and a relatively movable contact 15. The contacts 14 and 15 are normally in engagement at all times while the vehicle is operating within the appropriate speed range. When the vehicle is operated at an excessive speed, relatively movable contact engages the `contact 13 and simultaneously signals the operator the speed condition of the vehicle and acts to control the 'fuel supply of the vehicle.

.With the vehicle operating under normal conditions the circuit is completed from ground through thebattery 6g, ignition switch 1|, contact 15, electromagnetic valve 25 to ground 18. This circuit energzes electromagnetic valve through the conductor 11 and acts on im movable core 80 to raise the same and open the` fuel valve port 8|. This allows a sufficient quantity of fuel to pass from the inlet 62k to the outlet 8,3, so as at all times to supply the vehicle with sufficient fuel, As soon as excessive speed is created, the contacts 13 and 'l5 are engaged, completing a circuit to ground through the lamp 84 and the conductors 85 and 86, the latter of which may be through a groundconnection in the lamp itself. The energizing of signal lamp deenergizes the magnet 15, and the port 8i is closed, shutting off the normal fuel supply of the engine.

It is naturally desirable that although the maximum speed of the vehicle be limited and controlled, it is not desired to shut off the engine of the motor vehicle entirely, because such control might result in a serious accident. To preclude any such possibility a by-pass port in the fuel valve 81 is regulated by the transversely extending screw 88. A port 89 in this screw may be regulated to give a large or small opening. At all times this gives the necessary fuel to operate the vehicle at some lower maximum speed, as for example thirty miles an hour.

'I'he arrangement of the parts is such that if the operator of the vehicle should attempt to remove the control feature by breaking or disconnecting some of the electrical connections 12, 'H or 85, the solenoid valve 8l) will be immediately deenergized and will close the port 8|, with the result that the vehicle can thereafter only be driven at a speed less than the 30 mile speed gov-- erned by the bypass 89. From a safety standpoint, a truck driver or vehicle driver will only break the electrical connections once, for the simple reason that after having had to return all the Way home at a thirty mile speed limit, he will not forget the experience very soon.

The signal light 84 is of the plug type arranged to be snapped into a socket 90 which latter is threaded to the dashboard section 2| by the threaded concentric parts of the socket 9D and the dashboard fixture element 9|. An appropriate indicia bearing element 92 is visible through the bushing 9| to indicate in the cab of the vehicle that the signal light 84 is operating. This lamp may be readily replaced if it should burn out.

Although a preferred embodiment of this invention is illustrated and described, variations within the true spirit and scope of the same are to be determined by the appended claims.

What I claim is:

1. Centrifugal switch mechanism adapted for use in a speed limiting system for auto vehicles, comprising a centrifugal actuator and a switch, said centrifugal actuator comprising a shaft adapted to be rotated at a speed proportionately to that of the vehicle, thrust collar mechanism slidable on said shaft, a centrifugally movable weight rotatable with said shaft, thrusting against said collar mechanism when centrifugally moved, a bell crank pivotally mounted excentrically of the axis of said shaft having one arm operatively related to said switch and the other engageable by said collar mechanism to tilt said bell crank into switch operating position, and a leaf spring substantially straight when in repose position secured to said bell crank at such point as to resist tilting of said bell crank responsive to centrifugal force, means for adjustably lifting the outer end of said spring to tilt said bell crank to take up lost motion in the line of force transmission between said weight and bell crank and to counterbalance the pull of gravity on said weight, said spring being stiff enough to act as a rigid lever up to the counterbalancing point of its adjustment, and being varlably fiexed by further adjustments, thereby functioning as a variably yielding member whereby the limit of its resistance to speed responsive tilt of said bell crank may be selectively set.

2. Centrifugal switch mechanism adapted for use in a speed limiting system for auto vehicles, comprising a centrifugal actuator and a switch, said centrifugal actuator comprising a shaft adapted to be rotated at a speed proportionately to that of the vehicle, thrust collar mechanism slidable on said shaft, a centrifugally movable weight rotatable with said shaft, thrusting against said collar mechanism when centrifugally moved, a bell crank having one arm operatively related to said switch and the other engageable adjacent its end by said collar mechanism to tilt said bell crank into switch operating position, said bell crank being pivotally mounted excentrically of the surface of said shaft at an intermediate part of said last named arm, and a leaf spring substantially straight when in repose position, secured to said bell crank adjacent the end of said last named arm opposite to that engaged by said collar mechanism, and lying substantially parallel to said shaft in a direction to resist tilting of said bell crank, means for anchoring and adjustably lifting the outer end of said spring to tilt said bell crank to take up lost motion in the line of force transmission between said weight and bell crank and to counterbalance the pull of gravity on said weight, the reaction of said gravitational pull being through said spring while the latter is straight, and against said anchoring means, said spring being stiff enough to act as a rigid lever up to the counterbalanced point of its adjustment, and being variably flexed by further adjustments, thereby functioning as a variably yielding member, whereby the limit of its resistance to speed responsive tilt of said bell crank may be selectively set.

3. Centrifugal switch mechanism adapted for use in a speed limiting system for auto vehicles, comprising a centrifugal actuator and a switch. said centrifugal actuator comprising a shaft adapted to be rotated at a speed proportionately to that of the vehicle, thrust collar mechanism slidable on said shaft, having trunnions extending from opposite sides, a centrifugally moving weight rotatable with said shaft, thrusting against said collar mechanism when centrifugally moved, a yoke axially mounted at an intermediate point excentrically with respect to the axis of said shaft, having its ends pivotally engaging said trunnions, a leaf spring member xed across the top of said yoke extending therebeyond on both sides, said member having the extended part on one side of said yoke broadened to nullify its resiliency, said broadened part and said yoke constituting a bell crank, said broadened part being operatively related to said switch, the narrow portion of said leaf spring member being substantially straight when in repose position, means for anchoring and adjustably lifting the outer end of said narrow portion to tilt said bell crank to take up lost motion in the line of force transmission between said weight and yoke, and to counterbalance the pull of gravity upon said weight through the reaction of gravity acting through said spring while straight, against said anchoring means, said spring being stiff enough to act as a rigid lever up to the counter-balancing point of its adjustment, and being variably flexed by further adjustments thereby functioning as a variably yielding member whereby the limit of its resistance to speed responsive tilt of said bell crank may be selectively set.

4. Centrifugal switch mechanism adapted for use in a speed limiting system for auto vehicles, comprising a centrifugal actuator, a switch, and a housing containing them, said centrifugal actuator comprising a shaft journaled in said housing adapted to be rotated at a speed proportionately to that of the vehicle, thrust collar mechanism slidable on said shaft, a centrifugal weight rotatable with said shaft thrusting against said collar mechanism when centrifugally moved, a bell crank pivotally mounted in said housing on an axis perpendicular to and excentrically of said shaft, having one arm operatively related to said switch and the other arm engageable by said collar mechanism to tilt said bell crank to operate said switch, the latter comprising a contact support mounted for bodily adjustment in said housing above said bell crank, cooperating movable and fixed contacts carried by said support, a plunger freely resting upon an arm of said bell crank reciprocally guided in said support, having its upper end in operative proximity to said movable contact, means for adjusting said support to alter the space between said plunger and said movable contact, means for fixing said support in any position of adjustment, and a leaf spring substantially straight when in repose position secured to said bell crank at such point as to resist tilting of said bell crank responsive to centrifugal force, means for adjustably lifting the outer end of said spring to tilt said bell crank to take up lost motion in the line of force transmission between said weight and bell crank and to counterbalance the pull of gravity on said Weight, said spring being stiff enough to act as a rigid leverl up to the counterbalancing point of its adjustment, and being variably flexed by further adjustments, thereby functioning as a variably yielding member whereby the limit of its resistance to speed responsive tilt of said bell crank may be selectively set.

5. Centrifugal switch mechanism adapted for use in a speed limiting system for auto vehicles, comprising a centrifugal actuator, a switch and a housing containing them, said centrifugal actuator comprising a shaft journaled in said housing adapted to be rotated at a speed proportionate to that of the vehicle, thrust collar mechanism slidable on said shaft, a centrifugal weight rotatable with said shaft thrusting against said collar mechanism when centrifugally moved, a bell crank pivotally mounted in said housing on an axis perpendicular to and excentrically of said shaft, having one end operatively related to said switch, and the other engageable adjacent its end by said collar mechanism to tilt said bell crank to operate said switch, the pivotal axis of said bell crank being at an intermediate part of said last named arm, said switch comprising a contact support mounted for bodily adjustment in said housing above said bell crank, cooperating movable and fixed contacts carried by said support, a plunger freely resting upon an arm of said bell crank and reciprocally guided in said support having its upper end in operative proximity to said movable contact, means for adjusting said support to alter the space between said plunger and movable contact, means for fixing said support in any position of adjustment, and a leaf spring substantially straight when in repose position secured to said bell crank adjacent that end of its pivoted arm opposite to the end engaged by said collar mechanism, and lying substantially parallel to said shaft in a direction to resist tilting of said bell crank, a post adjustably mounted in said housing for anchoring said spring against movement in the direction of the length of said spring, and for adjustably lifting the outer end of said spring to tilt said bell crank to take up lost motion in the line of force transmission between said weight and bell crank and to counterbalance the pull of gravity on said Weight, the reaction of said gravitational pull being through said spring while the latter is straight, and against said post, said spring being stiff enough to act as a rigid lever up to the counterbalanced point of its adjustment, and being variably exed by further adjustments, thereby functioning as a variably yielding member,

whereby the limit of its resistance to speed re` sponsive tilt of said bell crank may be selectively set.

6. Centrifugal switch mechanism adapted for use in a speed limiting system for auto vehicles, comprising a centrifugal actuator, a switch and a housing containing them, said centrifugal actuator comprising a shaft journaled in said housing adapted to be rotated at a speed proportionate to that of the vehicle, thrust collar mechanism slidably on said shaft, having trunnions extending from opposite sides, a centrifugal Weight rotatable with said shaft thrusting against said collar mechanism when centrifugally moved, a yoke pivotally mounted at an intermediate point, in said housing on an axis perpendicular to and excentrically of said shaft having its ends pivotally engaging said trunnions, a leaf spring member xed across the top of said yoke extending therebeyond on both sides, said member having the extended part on one side of said yoke broadened to nullify -its resiliency, said broadened part and said yoke constituting a bell crank, said broadened part being operatively related to said switch, the latter comprising a contact support mounted for bodily adjustment in said housing above said bell crank, cooperating movable and xed contacts carried by said support, a plunger freely resting upon the broadened part of said leaf spring, reciprocally guided in said support having its upper end in operative proximity to said movable contact, means for adjusting said support to alter the space between said plunger and said movable contact, means for fixing said support in any position of adjustment, the narrow portion of said leaf spring member being substantially straight when in repose position, a post adjustably mounted in said housing for anchoring the narrow portion of said leaf spring member against movement in the direction of its length, and for adjustably lifting the outer end of said narrow portion to tilt said bell crank to take up lost motion in the line of force transmission between said weight and yoke, and to counterbalance the pull of gravity upon said weight through the reaction of gravity acting through said spring while straight, against said post, said spring being stiff enough to act as a rigid lever up to the counterbalancing point of its adjustment, and being variably flexed by further adjustments thereby functioning as a variably yielding member whereby the limit of its resistance to speed responsive tilt of said bell crank may be selectively set.

7. Centrifugal switch mechanism adapted for use in a speed limiting system for auto vehicles, comprising a centrifugal actuator, a switch and a housing containing them, said centrifugal actuator comprising a shaft journaled in said housing adapted to be rotated at a speed proportionate to that` of the vehicle, thrust collar mechanism slidably on said shaft, having trunnions extending from opposite sides, a centrifugal weight rotatable with said shaft thrusting against said collar mechanism when centrifugally moved, a yoke pivotally mounted at an intermediate point, in said housingr on an axis perpendicular to and excentrically of said shaft having its ends pivotally engaging said trunnions, a leaf spring member fixed across the top of said yoke extending therebeyond on both sides, said member having the extended part on one side of said yoke broadened to nullify its resiliency, said broadened part and said yoke constituting a bell crank, said broadened part being operatively related to said switch, the latter comprising a contact support, spaced lugs forming part of said housing, said support being pivotally mounted between said lugs above said bell crank, cooperating movable and fixed contacts carried by said support, a plunger freely resting upon the broadened part of said leaf spring, reciprocally guided in said support having its upper end in operative proximlty to said movable contacts, means for adjusting said support to alter the space between said plunger and said movable contact, means for clamping said lugs against said support for fixing said support in any position of adjustment, the narrow portion of said leaf spring member being substantially straight when in repose position, a post adjustably mounted in said housing for anchoring the narrow portion of said leaf spring member against movement in the direction of its length, and for adjustably lifting the outer end of said narrow portion to tilt said bell crank to take up lost motion in the line of force transmission between said weight and yoke, and to counterbalance the pull of gravity upon said weight through the reaction of gravity acting through said spring While straight, against said post, said spring being stiff enough to act as a rigid lever up to the counterbalancing point of its adjustment, and being variably flexed by further adjustments thereby functioning as a variably yielding member whereby the limit of its resistance to speed responsive tilt of said bell crank may be selectively set.

8. Centrifugal switch mechanism adapted for use in a speed limiting system for auto vehicles, comprising a centrifugal actuator, a switch, and a housing containing them, said centrifugal actuator comprising a shaft journaled in said housing adapted to be rotated at a speed proportionately to that of the Vehicle, thrust collar mechanism slidable on said shaft, a centrifugal weight at the end of a pivoted arm, rotatable with said shaft and having the opposite end of said arm thrusting against said collar mechanism when centrifugally moved, said shaft and weight being operable at an angle approaching the horizontal, an actuator for said switch including a bell crank pivoted excentrically of said shaft having engageable with said switch, an arm engaged by said collar mechanism, and a leaf spring arm normally substantially rectilinear, and positioned to oppose the tilt of said bell crank through thrust of said Weight, means for effecting sequential adjustment of said leaf spring, rst by lifting it as a rigid lever to take up lost motion in the line of force transmission of said centrifugal device, and then by variably flexing it, to make it resistably responsive to various values of centrifugal force.

PAUL H. KOLB. 

